Berkeley Parents Network: Longfellow Middle School

Berkeley Parents Network

Longfellow Middle School

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Berkeley Public Schools > Longfellow Middle School

Longfellow vs. King
Parent Reviews of Longfellow

Longfellow vs. King

Feb 2005

I am trying to find out something about the relative strengths of the middle schools Longfellow and King. I'd really welcome some thoughts from parents who know these schools. Janice

I am looking for feedback on Willard and Longfellow Middle Schools from parents of kids who are recent graduates or are there now. My son will be in the 5th grade next fall at a local Berkeley elementary school and we are in the Willard zone, so we would be assigned to Willard no doubt when he moves on to Sixth grade. I am very concerned that he will have all kinds of problems there, and would like some info and perhaps a reality check to see if my worst fears are justified. First, my son has ADD, does not have good study habits and gets easily overwhelmed in large classroom settings. I worry that a school like Willard, combined with the fact that he is becoming a teenager, will simply be too much. Second, we live a block from Willard and during the day I see all kinds of goings-on by students, including trashing neighborhood yards, skipping classes to hang out at the local Andronicos where the kids run around until they get thrown out by store personnel, and kids piling on other kids as they try to walk home from school. Is this activity representative of Willard school? How good are the teachers, mathematics and science programs, and afterschool programs, compared to Longfellow or the local private middle schools? Is Longgfellow just as bad? I wish I could send him to King, which I've heard much positive feedback about, but we are in the wrong zone. Anxious mom

My daughter is a 6th grader at Longfellow and it is working out quite well. She could have gone to King (or private for that matter) but chose Longfellow because it is the smallest of the middle schools (but not so small as some of the private schools) and she was in the bilingual program in elementary school and was able to continue it at Longfellow.

I was concerned about Longfellow until I went to an open house and checked out classes while school was in session. I was impressed with what I saw. There is a good principal and teaching staff and everyone knows each other. I think they keep an eye on all the kids and that the cohesion is good. If you want to talk, feel free to email me. Amy

I have a son in 7th grade at Longfellow and he has had a very good experience there. It is the smallest of the three schools, which was important to us and his needs. He is an excellent student, has had good teachers who have gone out of their way to make the curriculum challenging for him. The Principal and Vice principal are very experienced, show lots of leadership, work closely with parents, and make a point to get to know each and every child. Wonderful art, music, dance and theater programs, excellent Advanced math program. Very diverse student population with an emphasis on having a strong school community. Kids in general, as much as middle schoolers do, look out for each other. Firm but fair discipline policies,staff keep parents in the loop. Mary

My son graduated from Longfellow and is now an honor roll freshman at Berkeley High. Longfellow's strengths? Strong principal and generally strong teaching staff, wonderful advanced math and arts program, rich after school program, and the small size means that everyone knows everyone and there is alot of opportunitiy to shine (sports, music, dance, etc.). In my opinion, these strengths more than compensate for the limited campus facilities (great theatre, dance studio, and computer lab - but no track, pool, not much open space). Yes, the neighborhood isn't the greatest, but the campus is very secure - student safety is a real priority. The kids run the gamut - but involvement in any of the enrichment activities - sports, arts, computers - really makes a difference, the involved kids provide a good peer group and participation in these programs is actually valued among the students/its not considered ''geeky'' - especially the sports and arts programs. Karen H.

Parent Reviews of Longfellow

February 2003

Re: Middle Schools with a strong math/science department
Longfellow Middle School in Berkeley is an Arts and Technology Magnet School. As at MLK, 7th graders can also take Honors Algebra (or can wait and take Honors Algebra in 8th grade). There are some great math teachers at the school (and Science). In addition,the school has a strong computer program (but has experienced some recent cuts due to the BUSD budget crisis). My 7th grader is programming and will start learning machine code next week. Karen H.

January 2003

My daughter is now in 8th grade at Longfellow. The administration was quite sloppy under the previous principal, but the new one, Rebecca Cheung, so far seems organized and intelligent. I don't think Longfellow always challenges my kid enough in the academic sense, and the recent cuts in electives--this is supposed to be an arts and technology magnet school!--have been disheartening. However, Margaret has managed to come through the inevitable teasing and social stress successfully, and acquired a great (racially mixed) group of friends, which I suppose says something both for her and the social atmosphere around school.

There are some very good teachers at Longfellow. Of the ones I know, Cortez Robinson is wonderful for the student who's worried about math; last year he helped turn Margaret around from a C to an A, and her self-confidence soared as a result. Some other fine, dedicated teachers: Joan Brannigan for 7th grade English and history; Andrea Lee, who teaches P.E. and dance and has been a good role model of female strength and grace; Ms. Little, an 8th grade math teacher; Suzy Loper, a fabulous science teacher; and Jessie Luxford, 8th grade English and history. Doubtless there are others.

The after-school program (EDP) is run by Tina Lewis, an excellent administrator. Along with the arts and sports classes, the library, which is well stocked and a pleasant place to work and read, hosts a drop-in homework center most afternoons until 6 p.m.

Physically speaking, the newly restored main building and the building that houses the library, science labs, offices, and gym are pretty nice, but the so- called ''annexe'' is quite depressing, as is the cafeteria. (Some things don't change...)

Just as in elementary school, I recommend keeping an eye on your kid's work and attitude. Get every teacher's phone number and/or e-mail at back-to-school night and stay in touch; ask questions, make suggestions, nag politely, just like you do with your kid. This really pays off in middle school; your child may not always like it, but better she knows you take education seriously and are willing to put yourself out for hers: good behavior to model, so she'll learn to stand up for herself and work for what she wants. Melanie

November 2002

Re: middle school music programs
My son is a 7th grader at Longfellow. As a 6th grader, he was in 6th grade band that met 2/week and also had Music Theory/Chorus that met once a week (both during the school day). After school, he was able to join the Jazz Band during the second semester which met 2/week after school. As a 7th grader, he is in 7th/8th Concert Band that meets 5/week during zero period (8-8:45am.). After school, he is in Jazz Band again 2/week and joined Steel Drum Band 2/week after school. Ms. Davis, the Music Director is fantastic and the Jazz Band instructors are wonderful (for example, staying after class on their own time to work with kids that need help learning some of the new pieces). The Steel Drum Band is a real favorite at school and is surprisingly good. Longfellow also has other great art programs. My son is taking Art and Technology (drawing the first semester and 2nd semester computer-applications such as Adobe Illustrator) 5/week as an elective and after school takes Comic Strip Design and Theater (also offered: Stage Craft: set design, sound engineering, etc. African Dance, Hip Hop, and 3-D Art). Some of these programs are grant funded and the school so far has avoided the worst cuts (but lost Advanced Band this year and some of the very advanced computer courses). In general, we are very pleased with Longfellow, are happy with our new principal and vice principal (but still miss our former vice-principal now at BHS), have had great teachers (there are a few not so great teachers as in any school, including private, but so far we've had the luck of the draw). I AM concerned about funding in future years but Longfellow has been a great experience so far - and LOVE the small size. Karen

May 2002

My son wants to attend Longfellows Middle School next fall. We've visited the campus and sat in on several classes (sixth grade). Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the teacher of your choice? Vicki

Reply to parent wanting advice re Longfellow Middle School teacher selection: My son went to Longfellow for 6th grade a couple of years ago. We had visited to check out the 6th grade teachers, and then wrote a letter to the principal requesting particular teachers. They did assign him to the teachers he wanted, though I don't know if that was due to our letter or just luck of the draw. It certainly didn't hurt to write the letter. Diane

Old reviews (1996-1998)

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